Mixed Lentil Khichdi

Owing to my sudden trip to India last month, I had to miss the Blogging Marathon started by Srivalli. Not so this time around. I am fully geared up to churn out some very interesting recipes which my family has thoroughly enjoyed the past few days. For week one I would be cooking under the theme 'Delicious Dals' where I intend using dals/lentils in some very interesting and healthy ways. So stay tuned.


My little one is turning out to be a huge challenge when it comes to eating healthy. So I am trying to devise ways to sneak in healthy stuff in things which I know for sure I can convince her to eat. This is one such attempt and in the process S has also taken to eating Quinoa (Yes!). 


I have tried this recipe while altering the ingredients here and there many times so far and the alteration has done nothing but reinforced my faith in this one pot meal!! So feel free to play around with the ingredients keeping the 'forbidden' rice to a minimum. :) So here is a balanced meal as part of Day 1 of BM 12 for your near and dear ones!!


Most of you might have realized that this is a modified form of BBB (Besi Bele Bath) :))
Note - Don't feel intimidated looking at the ingredient list. Most of them are dals and lentils in your pantry. So choose one or all of them !!

Ingredients - 


Masoor Dal / Red Lentils 1/2 cup
Moong Dal / Pesara pappu 1/4 cup
Toor Dal / Kandi Pappu 2 Tbsp
Red Chori Beans 2 Tbsp
Cracked Wheat 2 Tbsp
Quinoa 2 Tbsp
Bajra / Sajjalu / Pearl Millet 2 Tbsp
Brown Rice 2 Tbsp
Vegetables (I used Cabbage ,Carrot, Beans, Peas) [Feel free to add any more of your choice]

Sambar Powder or Vangibath Powder or Besi Bele Bath Powder or Curry Powder 1 Tbsp (or as needed)

Red Chilli Powder 1/2 tsp (Optional)

Tamarind (Watery Extract ) 3-4 Tbsp (or as needed)

Turmeric 1/2 tsp

Salt as needed

Onions chopped 1/2 cup

Tomatoes chopped 1/2 cup

Seasoning (Oil/Ghee 1 Tbsp, Chana Dal 1 Tbsp, Urad Dal 1/2 Tbsp, Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp, Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp, Red Chilli 1-2 , Asafoetida 1/4 tsp, Curry leaves few)

Method Of Preparation - 

Wash all the Lentils/Dals and Grains in several exchanges of cold water. Add about 3-4 cups of water, salt and turmeric and pressure cook until they are cooked well.

Meanwhile, in a heated wok/kadai add oil and the rest of the seasoning. After the dals are brown and the mustard seeds splutter, add the chopped onions and saute until they change color.

Add chopped tomatoes and let them cook well before adding the tamarind extract and any masala powder (I added vangibath powder).

After the mixture comes to a boil, add the pressure cooked dals and grains. Mix well, adjust the salt and remove from heat.

Serve it hot with Papad and ghee and enjoy the goodness of the Dals in 'Royal Style'!!

[I found that this tastes best upon cooling :) ]


Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 12.

Also sending this to Susan's 'MLLA - 43' hosted by Chez Cayenne this month.

Preparation Time 35-40 min

Serves 2-3